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Avila has no issues after catching in rehab game

Avila has no issues after catching in rehab game

8/8/13: Alex Avila's ear is nicked on Nick Swisher's foul ball, resulting in the Tigers' trainer paying him a visit

By Jason Beck and Bobby Nightengale
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Tigers catcher Alex Avila, who's on the disabled list, was back behind the plate for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday and Monday and everything went well, a positive sign as he recovers from delayed concussive symptoms.

Avila caught for seven innings on both Sunday and Monday, going a combined 3-for-6 with a double and three walks. He was catching for Toledo on Thursday, but left after three innings due to a headache. On Saturday, Avila was hitless in three at-bats while also drawing a walk as the team's designated hitter.

"There's a strong possibility that if everything's OK and he doesn't have any symptoms, I think there's a possibility that he could return very, very soon," manager Jim Leyland said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

As a procedural move, Avila was transferred from the seven-day disabled list to the 15-day DL on Sunday, allowing him to spend more time on his Minor League rehab assignment. Players on the seven-day DL are limited to five days on an assignment.

Since Avila was placed on the DL on Aug. 11, catcher Brayan Pena is batting .366 with four runs scored and four RBIs in 13 games.